Boulder council hears update on six-year capital improvement program

Boulder City Council members asked detailed questions about the city's $217.8 million, six-year capital improvement program Tuesday night, but they did not raise any significant concerns about the proposed infrastructure projects.

The City Council heard an update on the program, which is supplemented by another $49 million in voter-approved bonds to be spent in the next three years. The discussion was the first of several this fall in preparation for adopting next year's budget in December.

Between the regular capital program and the voter-approved bonds, city officials expect to spend $50 million next year on projects ranging from park improvements to new software.

City officials say the programs are aimed at shoring up the infrastructure while maintaining a high level of service to the public.

Council members asked for more information about how the city's own capital spending is leveraged with funds from state and federal sources and how the capital programs will affect ongoing operating costs in the future.

Some projects lower operating costs by making buildings more efficient, while others add costs by adding new facilities and programs.

Council members also asked about using renewable energy sources to power new facilities.

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The capital projects planned for 2013 include building a new wildland fire facility for the fire department, constructing the Pearl Parkway multimodal path from 30th Street to the railroad tracks as part of the Boulder Junction improvements, renovating the main library, improving handicap access at the downtown municipal building, completing Elks Neighborhood Park, replastering city pools, renovating locker rooms, replacing irrigation systems on the Pearl Street Mall and other parks properties, and rehabilitating trailheads for Gregory Canyon and Flagstaff Summit.

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